Improvement in back and shoulder braces



J. W'. PARTRIDGE. Back and Shoulder Brace.

N0.199,463. Patented Jan. 22,1878.

N.PETERS, FNOTO-LITHDGRAPHER, WASHING-TON. D C.

JOHN w. PARTRIDGE, or Bostro v, A

PAT N OFFICE.

SSIGNOR To; ESTHER rnnrninen,

or BnooxLINE,"nnssncnusnr rs P IMPROVEMENT IHN'BACK AND SHOULD'ER BRACES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 199,463, dated January 22, 1878 application filed October 22, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. PARTRIDGE, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and proper relative position.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my supporter or brace in position on the person.

A is the graduated supporting-spring, constructed by attaching together, by means of arched cross-pieces, two graduated or tapered springs, at such distance apart that they shall bear upon the spine on each side the vertebral points its entire length, which should extend from the sacrum to a central point between the shoulders. This spring may also be made by cutting it entire from a sheet of metal; but I prefer making it as above. B is a short graduated spring, slightly curved outward, as seen in Fig. 2, and is riveted in its center to the arched cross-piece at the lower end of spring A, and to its ends the belt is attached. 0 is a graduated spring, pivoted to spring A at or near its upper end, bent outward from itscenter, as seen in Fig. 2, extending across the back nearly from shoulder to shoulder, to the ends of which the shoulder-straps are attache'd. This spring, by its peculiar form and bend, when brought. into position by adjusting the shoulder-straps, has the eifect of depressing the upper end of spring A into the hollow of the back, at the same time affording a gentle and yielding pressure upon the soapula. D is a stud on which to button garmentsuspenders. The shoulder-straps E E, as also the belt F, are supplied with devices for len gthvening or shortening at pleasure, and the ends with loops to form pivotal attachment with the springs upon studs. This belt, passing around the bones of the pelvis, just above the hip joints and under the abdomen, makes, when attached to a proper pad in front, a most efficient abdominal supporter. All the attachments being pivotal and the springs sufficiently flexible, the supporting-spring A maintains its position on the spine in any changing attitude of the body.

Fig; 2 represents an oblique view of the springs attached together, showing their form and bend when not in use. The dots seen are perforations in the spring for the attachment of wire or strips of anothermetal, to produce galvanic action, which may be used in cases where electrical effect is desired.

Springs B and O are tapered and bent in such a manner that the adjustment to the person of the straps and belt attached at their extremities depresses each end of spring A, bringing it to a bearing its entire length upon the spine, affording support where most neededresults not attainable with springs of uniform width and power.

My graduated spring is new in such constructions, and is so formed that it does not bear on the points of the spinal process, but evenly distributes the pressure upon each side, so as to afford continuous support.

For making the spring, I use, in preference, sheet-steel of suitable thickness. The power of the springs may be increased or diminished by variation in width, as well as by using thicker or thinner metal.

By making springs of differing lengths, widths, and power, such as are adapted to a given case can readily be selected. The springs should be plated or enameled to prevent rusting, and may be covered with a sheath.

The points of novelty in the apparatus 1 have described, which I claim as my invention and wish to secure by Letters Patent, are- 1. The parallel conn ected springsA A, made widest at a point below the center and tapering in each direction, to make the spring strongest at the waist, all as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination with the above-described springs A A, the rigid connecting-pieces, centrally arched or raised to avoid contact with any vertebral protuberance, and to allow free turning motion to the cross-springs O and B, as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In combination with the upright springs A A and their arched connections the crosssprings B O, loosely pivoted to the raise cross-connections, and tapering each way from 1gaccntral point all as and for the purposes set orth. i

4. The combination of the upright graduated springs A A with central raised connections the loosely-pivoted cross-springs B 0., provided with knobs or other securing devices at each end, and the connection D, provided with a knob, all as and for the purposes set forth.

JOHN W. PARTRIDGE. Witnesses:

W. L. G. HUNT, EDWARD I. DALE. 

